There are big ships and small ships.

But the best ship of all is friendship. ~Author Unknown

The 350 Project

What three independently owned local businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

If half the employed population spent $50.00 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.*

*Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Labor Department 2/6/09 report; 68/43 stats courtesy Civic Economics 2008 study.

For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68.00 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

So, pick 3, spend $50 and save your local economy. It only takes 1 person to start the trend.

Wisdom from a Silly Ol' Bear

"Promise you won't forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave."
~Winnie the Pooh~

Though Karon and I feel that we have the best jobs in the world, it's hard when the wedding is over and our "job" is done. Each bride and groom we work with, truly become dear friends as the weeks and months of planning ensue. So the day after the wedding is always a little bittersweet for us. We hold out hope that we won't lose touch and the newlyweds will be kind enough to send us a quick email now and then just to let us know what they're up to.

Imagine our surprise last week when Laura and Jay (bottom photo) stopped in to say hi as they they were walking by the studio and saw our lights on! It was so awesome to have a few minutes to catch up with them and share more of the laughs we enjoyed before (and during!) their wedding.

A few minutes after Laura and Jay left, we had another surprise! Sarah (top photo) stopped in to say hi after yoga class. And not just any yoga class~ prenatal yoga! YAY! Another Red Shoe baby! We're really excited to shoot some belly pics and maybe a newborn in a few months?! With parents like that can you imagine what a beautiful baby that little one is going to be?

I can't help but think about the immense value in the clear-eyed wisdom from the lovable little bear called Winnie the Pooh.

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is... even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." ~that is what friendship is all about.